HDD Carrier Bracket with Moveable Frame Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standardized chassis sizes limit the arrangement and number of computing devices that can be mounted, particularly in 4U height chassis, where space optimization is needed to maximize the installation of hard disk drives and other devices.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a hard disk drive carrier bracket with moveable frame members and a tray assembly system that allows for the expansion and collapse of the bracket, enabling efficient use of space within the chassis, with multiple L-shaped slots and pins for secure mounting and easy installation/removal of hard disk drives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If standardized chassis sizes are used, then manufacturing and compatibility are simplified, but the number of hard disk drives that can be mounted is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechassis standardizationVSAvoidnumber of HDDs mounted
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket employs moveable frame members that can transition between extended and collapsed positions, allowing the mounting structure to dynamically adjust its configuration. This enables the bracket to accommodate HDDs in various orientations and positions within the standardized chassis, thereby increasing the number of drives that can be mounted without deviating from standard chassis dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket is divided into multiple frame members (first frame member with first/second arms, second frame member with third/fourth arms) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each arm to be positioned optimally for mounting individual HDDs, maximizing space utilization within the constrained standardized chassis volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If fixed mounting structures are used, then structural stability is maintained, but installation and removal of hard disk drives becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The moveable frame members provide a dynamic mounting solution where the bracket can be easily configured during installation by extending or collapsing the arms as needed. Once the HDDs are mounted, the structure provides stable fixed positions for each drive. This dynamic-to-fixed transition during operation enables both easy installation and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The moveable arms act as intermediaries between the fixed chassis structure and the HDDs. These arms can be adjusted to facilitate easy insertion and removal of drives, while when positioned and secured, they provide stable mounting. The arms mediate between the need for easy operation during installation and the need for stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If space is optimized for maximum HDD installation, then the number of drives increases, but the arrangement flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of HDDs mountedVSAvoidarrangement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic moveable frame members enable the bracket to adapt its configuration to accommodate HDDs in different arrangements. The arms can be extended or collapsed to create various mounting patterns, allowing flexible arrangement of drives while maximizing the number that fit within the standardized chassis. This adaptability maintains arrangement flexibility despite the space optimization constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3716272B1Chassis for hard disk drives
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 QUANTA COMPUTER INC
  • EP3716272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3716272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3716272B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hard disk drive (HDD) carrier bracket for use in mounting a hard disk drive (HDD) in a chassis via a HDD tray includes a first frame member and a second frame member. The second frame member is coupled to the first frame member such that the first and second frame members are moveable relative to one another, between an extended position and a collapsed position. The HDD carrier bracket is installable in the HDD tray without tools. The HDD tray is installable in the chassis without tools.